World Premiere of Carapace Continues Alliance Tradition of Bringing the Newest Voices in American Theatre to the Stage

 

Carapace, the 2010 Winner of the Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, makes its world premiere on the ALLIANCE THEATRE's Hertz Stage February 11 – March 6, 2011, under the direction of acclaimed star of stage, film, and television Judith Ivey. A portrait of a flawed Minneapolis sportscaster on a collision course with fate, this moving and funny world premiere will keep audiences on The Edge of their seats.

 

In the play, television sportscaster Jeff is a man on a mission to do right by his daughter on her 23^rd birthday. However, his journey to reach her is riddled by roadblocks, often of his own making. As they have not been on speaking terms in some time, he must first figure out where she lives, and then find the perfect gift that can mend their broken past. But along the way, he must also make it across town and over the Mississippi River, avoiding the still-wrecked 35W bridge, piece together the right words to reach her, and overcome his ever-present thirst to have just one quick drink when he feels stressed.

 

Written by David Mitchell Robinson, a 29-year old recent graduate of Ohio University's MFA Playwriting program, Carapace beat out over sixty five other plays submitted as part of the Alliance's 2010 Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition. As the 2010 winner, Carapace received additional developmental workshops at the Kennedy Center and at the Mark Taper Forum in advance of its world premiere in Atlanta. A one-of-a-kind opportunity for emerging playwrights, the National Graduate Playwriting Competition is open to all playwriting students at accredited MFA programs throughout the country, transitioning student playwrights into the world of professional theatre.

 

Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey (also known for her work on television and film in Designing Women, Will & Grace, Flags of Our Fathers, and Brighton Beach Memoirs) directs Carapace. Says Ivey of the project, "It's rare that I read a script that I simply can't put down, but that is exactly what happened when I read Carapace. In addition to being a thrilling ride, it raises beautiful questions about parenting and the connections we make – and fail to make – at the times we need help the most."

 

The all Atlanta cast is led by David deVries (Alliance's Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Glengarry Glen Ross) as Jeff. Bethany Anne Lind (Alliance's 26 Miles, August: Osage County) plays his daughter Margo. Rounding out the cast is Joe Knezevich (Alliance's Tennis in Nablus, 2009 Kendeda Graduate Playwright Competition winner, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf), Paul Hester (Alliance's Eurydice), Mark Kincaid, and Tony Larkin.

Members of the artistic design team that help bring this production to life on the Hertz Stage are Lex Liang, set and costume designer; John Ambrosone, lighting designer; and two-time Suzi Bass Award winner Clay Benning, sound designer.

 

"Carapace is a gorgeous next step for our Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competiton," says Susan V. Booth, ALLIANCE THEATRE's Jennings Hertz, Jr. Artistic Director.  "David is a writer of subtle and stealthy emotion, who has written a piece that will remain vital and provocative to its audience long after the curtain call.  Like so many of its predecessors, I firmly believe this winning play will take its place in the repertoire of theatres across the country."

Carapace will be performed on the Hertz Stage with previews beginning Friday, February 11, 2011, with opening night on Wednesday, February 15. The run will continue through Sunday, March 6. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There are additional Sunday 7:30 p.m. performance Feb. 27 & March 6 and no Saturday matinee on Feb. 12. A Before Play talk is offered at 7 p.m. prior to each Tuesday 8 p.m. performance and an After Words chat back with the cast is offered after each Sunday 2:30 p.m. performance.

 

Carapace is part of of the Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition Readings Festival on Feb. 13 and 14. As part of the festival, free readings of all of the competition finalists plays will be presented, drawing on the diverse contemporary American experience, featuring Indian, Latino, Chicano, and African-American stories, plus a reading of David Mitchell Robinson's new play Olympic Village, set during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. For more details on the festival readings, visit alliancetheatre.org.

Tickets to Carapace start at $25 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000 or online at alliancetheatre.org.  Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404-733-4690.  Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students.  The ALLIANCE THEATRE is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, corner of Peachtree & 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.